Holy Monastery of Gouverniotissa at Potamies
The All-Holy Virgin Gouverniotissa [the ‘Mistress/Governor’], located a little before the settlement of Potamies, was founded in the early Venetian period and belonged to the feud of Laurentius Malipetri during the 14th century. Sections of the cells, mainly of the 19th century, from the presently dissolved monastery are preserved, as well as the catholicon of the architectural free cross-plan with dome, with the west arm of the cross being longer in length. The church is adorned in the interior with very high quality painting, from the third decade of the 14th century, characteristic of the realism current of Palaeologan art while influences from illuminated manuscripts and western iconography have been recognised. The iconographic programme, apart from the extensive Twelve Great Feasts, with scenes such as the Dream of Joseph and the Flight into Egypt, contains characteristic representations from the cycle of the Passions, such as the Denial of Peter, Christ in Chains, the Humiliation of Christ, and others. An extensive Marian cycle is developed on the north cross arm as well as several faded scenes from the miracles of Christ, such as the Healing of the Deaf Man and the Healing of the Paralytic.
